Broadcasters "overspending" Stateside, say actors

TORONTO – While revenues for Canada’s private broadcasters increased slightly in 2007, they cut their spending on Canadian programming slightly too, pointed out ACTRA, the actors union, in a press release. The CRTC released its omnibus communications industry report last week which showed revenues for private conventional broadcasters rose 1.3% to $2.2 billion in the 2007 broadcast year (ended August 31, 2007) while spending on Canadian television dropped 1.2% to $616 million. Spending on American programming rose 5% to $722 million.“The CRTC’s industry report confirms that Canada’s private broadcasters are overspending on U.S. programming while failing to produce homegrown shows...